The day we lost the Father of the Nation

Bangabandhu galvanized a people with his statesmanship, his oratory, his courage, his leadership, and his conviction

On this day 43 years ago, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated, along with most of his family.

The events of August 15, 1975 still shock our conscience, and will never be forgotten by Bangladesh -- this national tragedy stands as the lowest point in our history.

On this day of mourning, we reflect upon Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s vision for Bangladesh, which was a brand new nation at the time of his death.

He dreamed of a prosperous Bangladesh, a “Switzerland of Asia.”

Bangabandhu galvanized a people with his statesmanship, his oratory, his courage, his leadership, and his conviction. His idea of Bangladesh provided the bedrock on which our national identity today stands.

Tragically, his life was cut short at age 55, just four years after independence.

The nation has since been deprived of his guidance and counsel.

Who knows what Bangabandhu would have thought if he were able to witness today’s Bangladesh. He would, no doubt, be proud of the resilience of our economy, as well as the strides we have made in addressing the problems of militancy.

Bangabandhu does not belong to any single political party or ideology. He was the Father of the Nation, and will continue to be a guiding light for all Bangladeshis, including future generations.

In Bangabandhu’s spirit, let us leave behind petty ideological squabbles and work towards building a peaceful, harmonious, tolerant, and liveable Bangladesh for each and every citizen of this nation.